Preventing Another Orlando Massacre

By Janet Pfeiffer

On June 22, 2016

Last week our country was shattered by yet another senseless massacre of innocent people. A gunman opened fire inside Pulse, a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, early Sunday morning, leaving at least 49 people dead in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Gays have long been targets of hate crimes throughout the world as have others as well. Heated debates in Congress and among US citizens on gun control laws have been occurring for years but as of late have intensified due to incidences such as this. Some are calling for stricter laws while others insist guns are not the issue since mass murderers will always find a way to maim and kill. The debate continues as people seek to place blame and hold someone accountable. Was it a single person? Did they have an accomplice? Was this the act of terrorists? Having a target enables us to direct our anger at someone with the ultimate goal of bringing that party or parties to justice. In doing so, we feel a momentary sense of satisfaction having restored balance to society and on some level feel a sense of power and control over our environment as well. Tougher gun laws, more surveillance cameras, an increase in security personnel, and harsher punishment for those convicted of such crimes are all considered possible deterrents to these crimes. However, these only provide a false sense of security for the root cause of such attacks is not being addressed.
I live nowhere near Orlando yet on some level I must share in the responsibility in this heinous act of violence perpetrated against God's sacred children. And without intent to offend, I also extend that responsibility to each and every one of us as well. Every thought entertained, every word spoken, every action taken is energy, whether positive or negative. And that energy extends throughout the world. The accumulation of every molecule of energy produced by every individual across the planet culminates at some time in some location and in some form. All of the anger, bitterness, hatred, resentment, revenge, prejudice or disdain we have created in our hearts and/or acted out against one other, is not limited to that moment in time nor does that energy dissipate of its own free will. Energy is limitless, without boundaries. What occurs in my home has the potential to impact others in the farthest corners of the Earth. I have no control over it once I've put it out there. It's like a dust particle in the wind: it will travel where it will, with no influence by me or anyone else.
If any of us has ever:
~ Spoken unkindly about another (an individual or specific group of people), deliberately hurt someone physically, emotionally, psychologically or financially, taken our anger out on them and/or failed to make amends, we are coconspirators of the Orlando tragedy.
~ If we have ever sought revenge on someone who hurt us or encouraged others to get even with those who have mistreated them, if we have divided our families, communities, or our country with inflammatory remarks or accusations, we are coconspirators of the Orlando tragedy.
~ If we have held a grudge and chosen not to forgive those who have wronged us, posted hate-filled or derogatory speech on social media, if we have been disrespectful to family members, coworkers, or total strangers, judged someone, or lied about another for our own personal gain, we are coconspirators of the Orlando tragedy
Every act you and I commit sends the corresponding energy out into the universe. Negative intensifies negative.
All the gun laws in the world won't prevent another Orlando from happening when the root cause is not how many guns we own nor the type of weapons that are available to us. The cause of the heinous violence committed upon our brothers and sisters is a world that is suffering from a extreme case of moral decay. A decay that stems from the following:
1. A complete lack of respect for all human life. Mankind has taken it upon themselves to relegate humanity into different categories of worth and those on the lower end of the spectrum are subject to maltreatment at the whim of the perpetrator.
2. Fear that propels humans to fight for control over one another in order to preserve the self, their beliefs, and their ways of living that differ from others.
3. Arrogance - a belief rooted in ego that denounces God's authority and His Word and proclaims individual preferences as valid and superior to that of the Divine's.
4. Lack faith in God that life is meant to unfold organically rather than forced accordance with our requirements; that whatever is in our life has purpose and value; to trust in a Divine Plan and a higher purpose to each experience.
One does not have to believe in God to be a good person. They only need to believe in the way of God to live a moral life. That is, they must value all human life as equal; respect and treat one another with kindness and dignity; accept and allow each person their differences and uniqueness; forgive those who mistreated them, whether deliberately or inadvertently; and to love without limits or conditions. Only when you and I make the pledge in our hearts to live, not merely preach, these qualities for all humanity will we ever see an end to such senseless acts of violence inflicted upon God's precious creations. Until then, we must all share in the responsibility for the loss of life in Orlando and beyond.
I invite you to listen to a very inspiring song that addresses how we can live more peaceful harmonious lives: Listen to God's Way @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_P07K5G9qs.

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Author's Bio:

Janet Pfeiffer, international inspirational speaker and award-winning author has appeared on CNN, Lifetime, ABC News, The 700 Club, NBC News, Fox News, The Harvest Show, Celebration, TruTV and many others. She’s been a guest on over 100 top radio shows (including Fox News Radio), is a contributor to Ebru Today TV and hosts her own radio show, Anger 911, on www.Anger911.net and Between You and God (iHeartRadio.com).
Janet's spoken at the United Nations, Notre Dame University, was a keynote speaker for the YWCA National Week Without Violence Campaign, and is a past board member for the World Addiction Foundation.
She's a former columnist for the Daily Record and contributing writer to Woman’s World Magazine, Living Solo, Prime Woman Magazine, and N.J. Family. Her name has appeared in print more than 100 million times, including The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Alaska Business Monthly and more than 50 other publications.
A consultant to corporations including AT&T, U.S. Army, U.S. Postal Service, and Hoffman-LaRoche, Janet is N.J. State certified in domestic violence, an instructor at a battered women's shelter, and founder of The Antidote to Anger Group. She specializes in healing anger and conflict and creating inner peace and writes a weekly blog and bi-monthly newsletter.
Janet has authored 8 books, including the highly acclaimed The Secret Side of Anger (endorsed by NY Times bestselling author, Dr. Bernie Siegel).
Read what Marci Shimoff, New York Times bestselling author, says of Janet's latest book, The Great Truth; Shattering Life's Most Insidious Lies That Sabotage Your Happiness Along With the Revelation of Life's Sole Purpose:
"Janet dispels the lies and misconceptions many people have lived by and outlines a practical path to an extraordinary life beyond suffering. Written with honesty, clarity, sincerity, and humor, this book serves as a wonderful guide for anyone seeking a more enriching and fulfilling life.”
Dr. Bernie Siegel says, "All books of wisdom are meant to be read more than once. The Great Truth is one such book."